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Mount Machu Picchu: Moderate-size peak that overlooks the southern end of the Machu Picchu site.

Ollantaytambo: (Oy-yan-tie-TAHM-boh) The most important Inca site between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and the location of the greatest Inca military victory against the Spanish conquistadors.

Pacaritambo: (Pah-kar-ree-TAHM-boh) Small town outside of Cusco, believed by many to be the location of the cave called Tampu Tocco, the legendary birthplace of the Incas.

Pachacutec: (Pah-chah-koo-teck) Ruler of the Incas from 1438 to 1471 and founder of the greatest royal dynasty in Inca history. (He is often compared to Alexander the Great.) He launched a building program that created many of the most famous works of Inca architecture, including Machu Picchu and the Koricancha.

Pachamama: (Pah-chah-MAH-mah) The Earth Mother, an important fertility goddess in traditional Andean beliefs.

Patallacta: (Pah-tah-YOCK-tah) A onetime satellite town of Machu Picchu, located near the start of the Inca Trail.

Phuyupatamarca: (Foo-yoo-pah-tah-MAR-kah) A high-altitude set of ruins near the end of the Inca Trail, known for its spectacular 360-degree mountain views.

Pizarro, Francisco: Spaniard who was the conqueror and first governor of Peru. He ordered the execution of the emperor Atahualpa, and was himself killed by supporters of his former partner, Diego de Almagro.

Pizarro, Gonzalo: Younger, nastier brother of Francisco. Infamous for his mistreatment of Manco Inca and for stealing Manco’s wife.

Puquiura: (Pa-kee-yoo-rah) Small town near Vitcos and Huancacalle; its location was an important clue to finding the lost city of Vilcabamba.

Quechua: (KETCH-wah) Native language of the Peruvian Andes.

Royal Mausoleum: A cave at Machu Picchu, located directly beneath the Torreon; it is filled with enigmatic stonework, the purpose of which is still a mystery.

Runcu Raccay: (Roon-KOO Rah-KIE) Circular ruin, found by Bingham near the midpoint of the Inca Trail.

Sacred Plaza: A group of three important temples at Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Three Windows and the Principal Temple.

Sacsahuaman: (Sack-sah-wah-MAHN) Gargantuan walled structure located above Cusco, famous for the size of the carved stones in its walls.

Salcantay: (Sal-kan-TIE) A sacred mountain (apu) directly south of Machu Picchu. One of the two holiest peaks in the Inca religion, along with Ausangate.

Sapa Inca: (SAH-pah EEN-kah) Official title of the emperor of the Incas.

Sayacmarca: An enigmatic, fortlike group of ruins near the midpoint of the Inca Trail.

Sayri Tupac: (Say-ree TOO-pock) A son of Manco Inca who ruled the rebel Inca state of Vilcabamba from 1544 to 1560.

Tampu Tocco: (TAHM-poo TOH-koh) According to legend, the three-windowed hill from which emerged founders of the Inca dynasty. Bingham believed that he had found it at Machu Picchu.

Tawantinsuyu: (Tah-WAHN-tin-soo-yoo) The original name of the Inca empire.

Temple of the Three Windows: An important building at Machu Picchu. Its signature feature is a wall of three large windows that face east toward the sunrise.

Titu Cusi: (TEE-too KOO-see) A son of Manco Inca who ruled the rebel Inca state of Vilcabamba from 1560 to 1571.

Torreon: (Tor-ray-OHN) A large building at Machu Picchu—also known as the Sun Temple or Semicircular Temple—noted for its curved wall. A beam of light shines through a small window there on the June solstice. Located directly above the Royal Mausoleum.

Tupac Amaru: (TOO-pock Ah-MAR-roo) Last of the rebel Inca emperors. He was captured by the Spaniards in 1572 and beheaded in the main square in Cusco.

Urubamba River: (Oo-roo-BAHM-bah) The most sacred river in Inca cosmology, it curves around the spur on which Machu Picchu sits. Also known as the Vilcanota River near Cusco.

Usnu: (OOS-noo) Raised platform used by the Incas for religious ceremonies.

Vilcabamba: (Veel-kah-BAHM-bah) The jungle capital of the rebel Inca state, where Manco Inca went to hide after being chased from Vitcos in 1537. Sacked by the Spaniards in 1572, the city was soon reabsorbed into the